"So sad to hear about the passing of Eddie Large. We had the pleasure of working with him and Sid a few years ago. He just loved making people laugh. He will be missed," comedy duo Ant and Dec tweeted, together with a photo of Large.

"Eddie's energy and electricity and impressions and props and improv were hugely impressive," Lenny Henry wrote in a Twitter tribute.

While actress Kate Robbins said: "Sorry to hear the comedian Eddie Large has died. What a great chap he was. A real pro. Rest in peace Eddie"

Large's son Ryan McGinnis first broke the news of his father's passing in a post on Facebook.

He explained the heartbreak of his father catching COVID-19 while in hospital for heart failure.

"It is with great sadness that Mum and I need to announce that my dad passed away in the early hours of this morning," he wrote.

"He had been suffering with heart failure and unfortunately, whilst in hospital, contracted the coronavirus, which his heart was sadly not strong enough to fight. Dad had fought bravely for so long. Due to this horrible disease we had been unable to visit him at the hospital but all of the family and close friends spoke to him every day.

"We will miss him terribly and we are so proud of everything he achieved in his career with Syd and know that he was much loved by the millions that watched them each week."

The Glasgow-born comedian had previously received a heart transplant in 2003 and Large's agent Peter Mansfield said the family were thankful to have 17 extra years with him, courtesy of an organ donor.

However, he noted the family were not able to say goodbye properly due to isolation.

"His family were very sad not to be able to be in the same room as him, touching him, in the last week because of coronavirus," Mansfield said.

"They were only able to speak on the phone which was obviously very sad for them.

"But they wanted to say thank you to the NHS which was fantastic throughout."

Eddie Large son's Facebook post announcing news of his death (Twitter)

Mansfield added: "He was at Southmead Hospital and the Papworth Hospital, which did his heart transplant 17 years ago, were in constant communication and a great help as well.

"The family wanted to say how grateful they are for the extra 17 years that they have had with Eddie. And a huge thank you to the donor and the donor's family."